Author: Laurence Slater
Schwarz: Piano Works Vol. 1 (Danacord)
Rediscovery of elegant, virtuosic piano treasures [JF]
Puccini: Messa di Gloria (Naxos)
An attractive collection of Puccini’s non-operatic juvenilia, performed in spirited fashion [RMo]
Strauss: Eine Alpensinfonie (Ondine)
Good but hardly essential accounts of music for which we already have so many great recordings [RMo]
Bass Clarinet Concertos of the 21st century (Toccata)
The bass clarinet turns out to be a very viable concerto soloist [SB]
Franck & Widor: Works for organ and orchestra (CPO)
An excellent new version of Franck’s Op. 17 [DC]
Shor: Cello Concerto and other works (Naxos)
You would be hard-pressed to identify this as contemporary; it is kind to the ear [RB]
Dean: Orchestral works (BIS)
(Déjà Review) Excellent performances and superb recording of some of Dean’s most endearing works [HC]
Elgar: The Crown of India (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) At last a version of this legendary work for pleasure, analysis and study [JF]
Kątski: Piano Works 3 (Acte Préalable)
Dobrzański continues his exploration of this forgotten Pole with souvenirs of his extensive travels [RCh]
Cutler: Sonata for Broken Fingers (NMC)
An interesting work which does not quite come off [SB]
Ireland: Chamber Music (Chandos)
Distinguished works which receive splendid performances [JQ]
Mahler: Symphony 10 (Warner Classics)
Another top echelon recording of the third version of Cooke’s reconstruction of Mahler’s Tenth Symphony [RMo]
Smyth: Der Wald (Resonus)
A good performance can’t overcome the flaws in this opera [JQ]
Dreyer: 6 Sonatas for oboe and continuo (Brilliant Classics)
Sonatas of high quality, brilliantly played [JV]
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas 26, 27 & 29 (BIS)
(Déjà Review) Three superb performances on a convincing period instrument [WH]
JC Bach: Opera arias (Virgin Classics)
(Déjà Review) The London Bach’s operatic output has been woefully neglected … heard here performed with precision and dramatic tension {JPJ]
Bach: New Brandenburg Concertos (Berlin Classics)
These New Brandenburg Concertos, based on organ trio sonatas, make a delightful programme [SB]
Mahler: Symphony 10 (Deutsche Grammophon)
A justly admired – indeed, near-perfect – account of Deryck Cooke’s third version of his completion of Mahler’s Tenth Symphony [RMo]
Christmas Music by A Scarlatti and Giorgi (Arcana)
Cheerful accounts of two Baroque Roman masses for Christmastide [CRo]
The Launy Grøndahl Legacy, Volume 11 (Danacord)
The final Grøndahl Legacy disc from Danacord embraces radio opera as well as the restaurant band pleasures of his rare 1923 Pathés [JW]
Bach: Christmas Oratorio (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) A performance that will give much pleasure [JQ]
Schubert: Die Winterreise (Music & Arts)
(Déjà Review) Belongs among the Desert Island Disc recordings of Winterreise [GF]
Stanhope: Requiem (ABC Classic)
This touching new Requiem from Australia haunts the mind [WH]
Janáček: The Makropulos Affair (SOMM Recordings)
A very fine and fitting centenary tribute to Sir Charles Mackerras [JQ]
